3 Things Youth Can Do About ISIS and Ebola

There is some serious stuff going down all over the world right now that is putting the brokenness of our world on display. From the horrible Ebola epidemic in several African countries to what is beginning to be called genocide in the region around northern Iraq.

People are dying because they confess Jesus as Lord and because they do not have access to life-saving medical treatment. And my youth are wanting to do something about it.

What can youth do about ISIS and Ebola?

In situations like these there is not much hands-on that can be done, but that does not mean we have to twiddle out thumbs. In fact, our Wesleyan heritage demands much more. It demands that we seek to perform acts of mercy to those who are hurting and being persecuted.

1. Fast and Pray

I don’t want to discount this like I often have the tendency to do. We start with the realization that we have access to the creator of the universe, and we do what Christians have done for millennia. We fast and pray.

I suggest encouraging the Wesley fast as it is very doable for teens. For years John Wesley fasted every week starting after the evening meal on Thursday through mid afternoon on Friday. This is perfectly scheduled for teens as they can eat right when they get home from school on Friday. When talking about fasting with teens make sure they know that they need to be healthy and may need to do something like a bread and water fast instead of totally abstaining from all food.

During the night on thursday and then breakfast and lunch on Friday, have your students spend their time praying for the people suffering, praying for the world leaders, and praying for those who are grieving the loss of loved ones.

2. Raise Awareness

This may seem odd considering how often these stories are appearing in your Facebook feed, but the reality is that many people still do not know about what is happening and who is suffering. Take a moment at your next meeting to talk about what is happening and offer some places students can learn more.

Photo: AINA News

ISIS in Iraq has been marking the homes and businesses of Christians with an arabic N (It looks like a U with a dot over it) for Nazarene. For that reason many have chosen to change their social media aviators to the same letter and include the hashtag #WeAreN when trying to raise awareness about the violent persecution of Christians. Christianity today shared a young Christian from Mosul’s thanks for all those who used the hashtag.

3. Raise Funds

You have had fundraiser upon fundraiser for youth camp… how about a car wash for Ebola victims or for Iraq relief? Most denominations are responding in one way or another to the crisis. I am including some Wesleyan links below (that I could find through google), but would LOVE for you to add more links to other denominations in the comments.

When he is not playing with his four children with his wonderful wife, Jeremy oversees children, youth, and college ministries in addition to leading the evening worship service at Christ United Methodist Church in Mobile, Al. He is passionate about reaching people with the message of Jesus in a way that engages them with the movement of God. Jeremy is the Senior Editor of the Seedbed Youth Ministry Collective and the author of Reclaiming the Lost Soul of Youth Ministry. You can find a list of all his books, articles and resources for churches at his website: JeremyWords.com

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We pray everyday. We fast every other day! We enjoy each opportunity to raise awareness of the love of God through our savior Christ Jesus! It’s too simple and much too rejected by the main stream. Oh well… May the whisper of the Father be the one that wakes us.
May the open hand of the Son be the one that raises us.
May the prompting of the Spirit be the one that sends us.
This day & all days & leads us safely home.
In Christ Jesus name we pray. Amen & So Be It

Thank you for this article. we reprinted it in our publication The Circuit Rider for the Mississippi Conference of the United methodist Church. I found it to be both informative and a way for students and congregations to get actively involved.
Blessings,
Bishop James E. Swanson, Sr.

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